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Washington, D.C., District of Columbia / Bars and nightlife

Cotton & Reed

Washington, DC's first rum distillery and cocktail bar, offering on-site production of American rums and guided tours in the Union Market District.

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Cotton & Reed
www.cottonandreed.com, og_image_www.cottonandreed.com

What is Cotton & Reed known for?

Cotton & Reed is a rum distillery and cocktail bar in Washington, DC. It opened in 2016 as the city's first rum distillery and is noted as a beautiful example of adaptive reuse in the Union Market Historic area.

What are the hours?

The tasting room is open Monday through Thursday from 4 PM to 12 AM, Friday from 4 PM to 2 AM, Saturday from 12 PM to 2 AM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM.

What can I do there?

Visitors can have a cocktail, take a tour, or buy a bottle of rum.

What types of rum do they produce?

They produce white rum, gold rum, PX dark rum, coconut rum, and Allspice Dram, as well as a line of canned cocktails.

Where is it located?

It is located at 1330 5th Street NE in Washington, DC, within the Union Market District.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Cotton & Reed is a pioneering spirit of the Northeast DC landscape, having opened in 2016 as the first rum distillery in Washington, DC. Located at 1330 5th Street NE, the establishment operates as both a rum distillery and a cocktail bar, blending industrial production with a welcoming tasting room. The facility is a beautiful example of adaptive reuse in the Union Market Historic area, where fermentation, distillation, processing, and bottling are all performed on-site. The distillery's mission is to create distinctively American rums by learning from the best practices of global producers. To ensure quality, they source cane syrup and molasses from one of only two Bonsucro-certified sugar refineries in the United States. Visitors can engage with the craft of rum-making up close. The distillery produces a diverse range of spirits, including white rum, gold rum, PX dark rum, coconut rum, and Allspice Dram, as well as a line of canned cocktails. Guests can enjoy a cocktail in the tasting room, purchase a bottle for home, or take a guided tour of the the production area. In 2024, the company announced its first major expansion into Ivy City, signaling a growth in its local footprint. This expansion allows the distillery to continue its commitment to high-quality, American-made spirits distilled right in the heart of the city.

Visitor tips

  • The tasting room is open until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays for late-night visits.
  • If you are buying bottles to take home, consider ordering three or more to get free shipping if you prefer delivery.
  • Plan your visit for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon when the tasting room opens at 12 PM.

Nearby context

Cotton & Reed is situated in the Union Market District, a vibrant hub of Northeast DC where industrial warehouses are being transformed into culinary and artistic spaces.

Sources

Evidence and links